Night feedings play a big role in the development and growth of the baby. Regular feedings at night in the first weeks after the birth of a baby help to establish lactation, strengthen the emotional bond between mother and baby, and also avoid digestive disorders in the baby.
The benefits of night feedings for women are also obvious: regular emptying of the mammary gland prevents the development of lactostasis, mastitis and other inflammatory diseases that often develop as a result of stagnation of milk (if a woman is breastfeeding).
Despite the obvious benefits, you should not delay weaning from night feedings. Many mothers do not know at what age they should begin the weaning process, so they ask more experienced friends and acquaintances for advice. It’s better not to do this, because each child has individual growth and development rates, as well as physiological needs, so it is recommended to resolve this issue with a pediatrician.
Benefits of night feeding for infants
For mothers and babies, feeding at night has a number of advantages. Mother's milk helps the baby develop well, have a strong immune system and be healthy. Therefore, experts recommend that parents maintain lactation as long as possible.
Pros of night breastfeeding:
- Maintaining lactation. The hormone prolactin is responsible for milk production. Its production in maximum quantities occurs between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. During this period of time, it is recommended to give the baby breastfeeding.
- Rescue from lactostasis. Long breaks between sucking are harmful to women's breasts. There may be a painful sensation in it from overflowing with milk. Squeezing the ducts leads to a more serious problem - lactostasis. Sometimes it is difficult to cope with it on your own and you have to turn to a specialist.
- Satisfying all the needs of the baby. At night, the mother is not distracted by household chores or work, so she can fill the baby’s need not only for feeding and sucking, but also for tactile contact with her.
- Improves the child's sleep and well-being. A baby's sleep can be disrupted by illness, teething, or a change in weather. The breast will help him calm down and fall asleep. Without latching, the baby has to be rocked and carried for a long time.
How to help your child wake up less often at night
Why does a 4-month-old baby often wake up at night - tips for parents
Sure ways to get a good night's sleep:
- A regular schedule is a prerequisite for good sleep. Pediatricians recommend putting the baby to bed and feeding at the same time. It is comfortable for newborns to sleep on the chest (or with a bottle). It is advisable to put the baby to bed after finishing feeding; sleep should not be associated with food.
- Daily rituals improve sleep quality. Many parents arrange an evening walk, a bath with chamomile, and meals. Favorite toys in the cradle, a bedtime story and a kiss are popular options for preparing older children for a holiday.
- The duration of night sleep increases due to a decrease in daytime rest. If the day's rest is prolonged, it is worth waking up the baby. You cannot let your child confuse day and night.
- Throughout the day, the baby needs to be captivated by active activities: walking, doing gymnastics, giving a massage, arranging outdoor games.
Mom teaches her baby to sleep in a crib
Advice. Be sure to ventilate the room before resting; the air in it should be fresh.
Until what age do children usually eat at night?
There are no clear age limits that indicate when to stop feeding your baby at night. Each child has his own individual characteristics. If the mother tolerates nightly attachments calmly, then this procedure can be continued for up to 3 years.
But in practice there are very few such cases. Usually, by the age of one, parents are unable to tolerate the constant lack of sleep. Then the question of weaning the child from night meals arises.
Many pediatricians believe that feeding a baby under 3 months of age needs to be fed 2-3 times a night; up to 6 months of age, 1 time is enough; after a year, this procedure can be abandoned. In fact, few children fit into such a framework.
The baby may demand the breast every hour and fall asleep on it, continuing to suck. Children on formula have longer breaks between meals, because the feeling of fullness lasts longer due to slow digestion.
Stop feeding at night: reviews from mothers who weaned their children from eating at night
Many modern women are looking for answers to their questions on forums. Having studied a large number of opinions, we can conditionally divide all mothers according to the chosen method into three groups:
- mothers who suddenly stop feeding their baby at night;
- mothers who gradually reduce the number of meals per night and the amount of formula or breast milk they drink at one time;
- mothers who do not take any measures, but wait until the child is ready for it.
The doctor advises to schedule a feeding schedule throughout the day and feed the baby balanced, nutritious food enriched with vitamins and minerals.
How to wean it is a good question. The answer is usually the same: why did you teach
